TNR expands presence in southeastern U.S.

Adds 75 DVD rental machines in Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 4/10/2007

APRIL 10 | TNR Entertainment Corp. has installed 75 new DVD rental machines in Publix grocery locations throughout Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Alabama.

This southeastern portion of the U.S. now represents a significant one-third of TNR business, which totaled 1,600 locations at the end of the first quarter.

New Publix locations reside in the Georgia cities of Atlanta, Marietta, Columbus, Athens and Augusta, among others. New Tennessee spots include Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood; South Carolina cities include Charleston and Greenville; and Alabama cities include Birmingham, Madison and Homewood.

“Our successful partnership with Publix Super Markets in its Florida and Georgia stores has led to this expanded relationship, one which we look forward to building upon,” TNR chief operating officer Jeff Karbowiak said. “This is another phase of our aggressive national expansion and also provides TNR with significant economies of scale in serving our rapidly growing southern regional operations.”

Through 2007, TNR hopes to double its current 1,600-machine network across 30 states. Since 2002, TNR has rented more than 9 million DVDs to nearly 2 million customers.

In February, TNR installed 51 DVD rental machines in the H-E-B grocery chain in Texas.

A survey commissioned by TNR forecasts that the DVD kiosk market will be worth $1 billion in five years.